How does the Weekend Couples Workshops compare to Couples or Marriage Counseling?

Whether you choose to work on your relationship in The Art & SCIENCE of Love (ASL): Weekend Retreat and Couples Workshops, or in Couples or Marriage Counseling with a Gottman Certified Therapist, you are in good hands. In both venues you will be actively working with your partner in structured exercises designed to build your connection and increase understanding and empathy for one another even when you disagree. The workshop is a very powerful change agent for most couples. Some couples may need more assistance than can be provided in a workshop setting. If you have any questions about the best fit for your particular situation, feel free to call Lisa to discuss your options.

My partner is not comfortable sharing any of our private information in a public setting or even in therapy. Will we need to share our private life with others?

Couples are not asked to share any private information in the ASL Couples Retreat and Workshops. Lisa and Bob will lecture, show films and demonstrate with humorous role plays the right and wrong way to go about a particular exercise; then couples will break out on their own to practice the exercise. Bob and Lisa will be on hand - roving the area to help couples who want help. We have secured additional meeting space at the Acqua Hotel for couple privacy. On a nice day, most couples gravitate to the area outside the conference room where there is a lovely lawn and bicycle path overlooking Richardson Bay.

A Certified Gottman Therapist is a therapist who has completed an extensive certification program administered by The Gottman Institute. Lisa and Bob are marriage and family counselors trained directly by Drs. John and Julie Gottman. There are five levels for professionals to complete for certification. Please see www.Gottman.com for more information from the Gottman Institute.

What is a Certified Gottman Workshop Leader?

Certified Gottman Workshop Leaders are Certified Gottman Therapists who have received additional training at the Gottman Institute to prepare them to present the trademarked Weekend Workshop for Couples created by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, The Art & SCIENCE of Love. Both Lisa and Bob have completed this additional training.

Should we do anything to prepare for The Art & SCIENCE of Love Workshop or for Gottman- Method Couples Counseling?

It is not necessary for you to do any preparation, however some couples find it helpful to read the book “The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work” by Dr. John Gottman. This book is widely available at bookstores, or online at Gottman.com.

May I receive Continuing Education Credits (CE’s) for attending the Couples Workshops? I’m a professional counselor or nurse and wish to attend this workshop with my partner.

The ASL Couples Workshop and Retreat in Mill Valley offers 13.5 hours of Continuing Education Credits. Professional counselors, clergy, and nurses are welcome to participate in the workshop with their significant others and may be eligible to receive CE credits. See registration page for more information.

Thinking about Relationship Counseling, a Marriage Counselor or Couples Therapy? These FAQ's for the Weekend Couples and Marriage Workshops and Retreat, designed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, are offered in the Northern California - SF Bay Area.

Outside of these regions, through-out California and out of state, the Couples Workshop and Retreat serves the Central Valley of California including the cities of Redding, Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, Fresno, and Bakersfield. Often couples arriving from out of state including Portland, Oregon; Las Vegas or Reno, Nevada; Phoenix or Tucson, Arizona; Salt Lake City, Utah; Boise, Idaho; Denver, Colorado; or Albuquerque, New Mexico add a couple extra days to their stay so that they can enjoy the Golden Gate National Recreational Area - GGNRA, Muir Woods, Mount Tamalpais, as well as Northern California's Wine Country.